The rock soundtrack to teenage years.
The Polyphonic Spree is not one to do anything on a small scale. Starting with their first release in 2002; The Beginning Stages Of…, they have been pros at creating theatrical, operatic pieces of alternative music. This mix of genres creates a sound that is totally individual to them. The Polyphonic Spree has released eight full-length albums and has even been featured in movies such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Thumbsucker. Apple Music categorizes their newest 2023 release, Salvage Enterprise, as a rock album but after listening to it, it has so much more to offer than just rock.
The Polyphonic Spree titles the songs in a signature way. Each song is named starting with “Section” and then a number beginning with 44. The numbers range from 44 to 52 in numerical order. After the “Section” and number there is a title in parenthesis. This choice is interesting and leads one to wonder why this creative intention was made. Their past albums do not use this titling method except their 2004 release, Together We’re Heavy, which starts with “Section 11 (A Long Day Continues/We Sound Amazed)” and ends with “Section 20 (Together We’re Heavy).” Despite having multiple songs titled this way they do not ever start with one.
Salvage Enterprise begins with a 6-minute, emotional, dark and almost scary introduction called “Section 44 (Galloping Seas).” The song includes a huge build-up and opens the album in such an intriguing way. It really sets the stage for the rest of the album which feels like a soundtrack to a coming-of-age movie. The lyrics are hopeful and plead with the listener to wait for good times when things seem like they are at their worst. This track changes pace about halfway through the song and becomes gentler but eventually returns to the dramatics. “Section 44 (Galloping Seas)” is essentially the model of what an introduction song should be. Many of the songs begin softly, with a finger-picked or plucked acoustic guitar but as the tracks progress more instruments are introduced. This creates a build-up that makes the listener intrigued with what will come next while also being able to physically connect with the music. The symphony-like instrumental paired with gentle yet bone-chilling vocals of “Section 44 (Galloping Seas)” really sets the scene for the rest of Salvage Enterprise.
Each song is a journey of its own ranging from four to six minutes. The dramatic, operatic sensation paired with elements of rock and indie create an album like no other. A lot of the songs seem as though they could be a part of a dramatic movie or musical, which as stated before is not a new challenge for The Polyphonic Spree. The instruments used such as strings, plucked guitar and woodwinds create a feeling that listeners can feel deep in the soul. The gentleness of the singer’s voice paired with all of these melodramatic instrumentals is truly a work of art.
Leave a Comment